"Why the White House is not on the war path over Iran"

Five words that signify bias:

1. saber-rattling
2. literally (bulldozed into the ground)
3. bellicose
4. "spiral out of control"
5. plunge

In the article "Why the White House is not on the war path over Iran" by Mark Mardell generally recounts Mardell's attempt to learn more about the US government's attitude towards Iran now that it has been revealed that they have a nuclear energy program.  He describe's Israel's threat to attack Iran over this program as "saber-rattling" which suggests that the threat is just a threat and nothing more.  Mardell conveys the sense that this new nuclear program in Iran is for energy, stating that the buildings and research centers used for Iran's old nuclear weapons program have been "literally bulldozed into the ground" - the word "literally" is used to actually describe what happened and also emphasize how over the nuclear weapons program in Iran seems to be.  Mardell says that the White House couldn't hardly be less bellicose - or war-like - concerning Iran as he's been told that any military response would only provide a situation that could "spiral out of control" and help "plunge" western economies into another recession.  The choice of colorful words with their specific negative connotations, in context with the question of how likely a military response from the US is, further illustrate the writer's conclusion that Iran's nuclear program is not a threat and that any larger situation arising from this as being unlikely.

Looking for Bias while Reading with a Dictionary

I chose the article “Obama Gets the Hang of War” by the CNN columnist Frida Ghitis for my bias summary. As the title insinuates, Obama has gone from being the sweetheart of the word, a monument to change and a beacon of hope for the world to rally around, to the same old political ‘Joe’ with an itchy trigger finger. In a sense the article is stating bias by declaring Obama is getting the hang of something the writer disapproves of regarding current actions of the president, and alleges that Obama adds another notch to his belt every time he uses force to persuade other countries, as if it’s a game. The author vividly reveals his bias when he takes Obama’s direct quote (“We don’t take any options off the table.”) out of context by explaining this statement as code for something else, and offers his own interpretation: “I may decide to attack.” He uses Obama’s words against him by saying his vows, which usually denotes a solemnly promise to be upheld, do not match his actions, and are therefore, letting down the America people and the world. Furthermore, verb tenses used throughout the article imply bias, such as the following statement: “…the United Nations Watchdog will report this week that Tehran, in fact, is working to develop nuclear weapons for military use.” It seems the writer has the inside scoop on future political happenings and foresight into the inner workings of the Iranian government’s military policies. Words, indeed, do affect how the reader understand and relates the information given, especially since a majority of readers are outside the ‘know,’ and relying on news and media to deliver answers is dangerous at best. The author was quite vivid about his feelings towards the Obama Administration’s aggressively wonton use of force, and contrary to the ray of sunshine that he rode in on, but being able to decode this message and vocabulary words used to present the message, readers will be better able to decide for themselves ‘truth.”

Should the candidate use “Born in the U.S.A.” as his campaign song?

Pros and Cons of having "Born in the U.S.A." as a campaign song:

C Catchy song title	D Old songs can mean old ways; people want new and fresh
C Most people are familiar with the song	D A rock song for a President could be deemed too aggressive
C It is a title people can relate to and rally around	D Could alienate the many Americans not born in the U.S.A.
C The title elicits emotion	D Brice Springsteen may not agree to allow its use
C American sentiment, heartland and patriotic	D In 1984 he turned down offers by the Chrysler Corporation to use the song in a car commercial
C Relates to the struggles of everyday life	D He supported John Kerry’s 2004 and Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaigns… he is a Democrat
C Bruce Springsteen is a cult hero representing the working-class	D Requested Reagan stop using this same song in 1984
C The title fits well with the Republican platform policy of immigration and securing the national border	D Other than the title, the lyrics do not match the candidate’s desired intent
	D Going to “kill the yellow man” is not a lyric he needs to have is his campaign song
	D It’s more of a protest song
	D The lyrics ring of the Vietnam War, coming home to disillusionment, and not having anywhere to go (no hope)
	D Does not support Republican ideals, in general

Dear Mr. Candidate,

I sincerely urge you to choose another song for your campaign slogan! Although it is a catchy title and well loved, the lyrics and what the songs represents are far removed from securing national borders, containing illegal immigration, and other Republican social policies (e.g. “Sent me off to Vietnam, to go and kill the Yellow man.” and “I had a buddy at Khe Sahn, they’re still there, he’s all gone.”). The United States desperately needs a candidate who will tackle domestic issues and problems at home that are greatly affecting each citizens and this wonderful country as a whole, and so your campaign song should reflect this. The Vietnam War is over… let it go; now is time to turn towards the financial wars that are being waged in the streets of New York, Chicago and other major urban centers, and are surely not likely to recess any time soon. Move the people to something more upbeat and hopeful like Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling”… God knows they need it!

Sincerely,
Brent Johnson

Born in the U.S.A.

Pros	Cons
Memorable chorus            Patriotic-sounding/Americana (chorus)            Catchy and upbeat-sounding            Potential double meaning when talking about immigration policy	Lyrics of the verses don’t really match political agenda of GOP candidate           Lyrics are actually kind of a bummer            Bruce Springsteen probably would not approve/appreciate his song being used by a GOP candidate

Dear Candidate,

I am writing to caution you on your choice of campaign song. While "Born in the U.S.A." appears to be patriotic and upbeat on the surface and especially in the chorus, the actual content of the song may put off many of your potential voters. Nearly constant reference to the the Vietnam War and the emptiness/weirdness of life after returning (for example, "they put a rifle in my hand" and "they're still there, he's all gone") make Mr. Springsteen's discontent with that conflict quite clear. Therefore, the actual content of the song is not patriotic or right-leaning. I am also concerned that you may receive backlash from Mr. Springsteen himself, as he is not exactly known for his conservative views! I hope that this note will cause you to pause and reconsider your choice. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,
Matthew

Extra Credit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q65KZIqay4E
http://www.scoutsongs.com/lyrics/proudtobeamerican.html

Campaign Songs

Hello class! Please respond to the prompt below for this week's assignment:

You are the campaign manager of a Republican candidate running for president in the upcoming 2012 elections. The issue that the candidate is most known for is securing the United States' borders and containing illegal immigration. He wants to use "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen as his official campaign song.

Is this a good song for him to use? What kind of characteristics do we want in a good campaign song? Please make a T-chart listing the pros and cons of using "Born in the USA" based on what you believe are important characteristics of a good campiagn song.

Afterwards, on the blog, please post your T-chart in a new entry.  If you cannot replicate a t-chart on the blog, please list the pros and cons from your T-chart and have your actual chart prepared for class.  Underneath in the same blog entry, please write a quick email to your candidate (no longer than 5 sentences) explaining why "Born in the USA" should or should not be the candidate's campaign song. Please cite a specific lyrics from the song to support your answer in the email.

Please keep in mind the characteristics of a good campaign song that we discussed in class as you construct your chart and email response. For extra credit, you may suggest another song for the candidate to use. Please include a link to the song (youtube videos are fine) and lyrics. "Born in the USA" and its lyrics are below.

Lyrics: http://www.brucespringsteen.net/songs/BornInTheUSA.html

State Senate G.O.P. Near Decision on Gay-Marriage Vote by Danny Hakim (http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/23/state-senate-g-o-p-near-decision-on-gay-marriage-vote/?ref=deangskelos)(

This article generally talked about the movements of the NY State Senate Republicans during the moments leading up to the Senate's vote on the gay marriage bill.  By the time the article was written, the Assembly already passed it and now the bill was on the docket for the Senate.  The article identified Senator Dean Skelos, Republican Senate Majority Leader (from the 4th district, my district).  The Republican caucus was about to meet to determine if they would allow the bill onto the floor for a vote.  Skelos made comments saying that "legislative matters were 'on track,'" making it seem that the bill would be allowed time on the floor for a vote in the imminent future. Although Skelos is not directly quoted saying that the Republicans will allow the vote, the tone and syntax of the writer (see the title) leads a reader to believe that a vote is indeed imminent.

GNP leader calls for more flexibility in NK policy by Chung Min-uck (The Korea Times)

South Korean officials are trying to mend ties with North Korea after a year of virtually no exchange or cooperation between the two following president Lee Myung-bak's execution of the "May 24 Measures" in reaction to the sinking of the warship Cheonan and the bombing of Yeonpyeong Island. Chairman of the Grand National Party (in the U.S.=Republican Party) representative Hong Joon-pyo recently visited the Gaeseong Industrial Complex just across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to survey the 120 South Korean companies with factories setup there to promote economic cooperation (cheap labor for the South and jobs for the North), but who have been hit hard by downturns in the economy, and especially, the frozen relations between the two countries. I can see the benefits for both sides (47,000 North Korean out of work and 120 companies with no employees), so renewed relations are in the best interest of both countries, economically. The bigger issue of unification and dealing with North Korea in other political matters are much more complex. The writer's tone does not give me knowledge of his intent, but his lack of negative response leads me to believe he is in agreeance with inter-Korean dialogue and possibly unification.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/10/116_95826.html